1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.
—
Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Wedgewood and the Avs handled their business, albeit with some nervy moments mixed in, and collected a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
With no fewer than eight players now within just four strokes of the lead, McIlroy headed back to the range to try to recalibrate ahead of his final round, but a nervy three-putt from four feet at the fourth hole on Sunday afternoon seemed to be disastrous.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Michigan had been scuffling along, needing overtime to beat Wake Forest and surviving a nervy 67-63 game at TCU before coming to Las Vegas.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Wedgewood and the Avs handled their business, albeit with some nervy moments mixed in, and collected a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
With no fewer than eight players now within just four strokes of the lead, McIlroy headed back to the range to try to recalibrate ahead of his final round, but a nervy three-putt from four feet at the fourth hole on Sunday afternoon seemed to be disastrous.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Michigan had been scuffling along, needing overtime to beat Wake Forest and surviving a nervy 67-63 game at TCU before coming to Las Vegas.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Virgos are patient, kind, and wise like Sundown.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The two candidates who advance to the general election would be wise to offer Californians a hope for the future that doesn’t call back to our yesterdays.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Following its founding in 1963, the gallery embarked on an adventurous run that included exhibitions for artists such as Warhol, Tinguley, Gerhard Richter, Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd, Anthony Caro, and Bruce Nauman during its first decade.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
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The menu puts the focus on perfectly charred steaks and chops (the 32-ounce ribeye is ideal for two) while a few surprises like short rib ramen, pierogi stuffed with farmers cheese, and cauliflower steak satisfy more adventurous eaters.—
Taryn Shorr-Mckee,
Midwest Living,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Altman seemed slightly nervous as the cross-examination got underway.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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Suddenly, and very publicly, Russian officials appeared nervous, afraid that their parade would be spoiled.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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At Remedy Burger, deliciously cheeky burgers satisfy anyone and everyone in your crew, like the signature Remedy Burger, with double smashed patties, and the Broccoli Burger, a uniquely veggie twist on typical burger fare.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders are faced with both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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For the less daring, there are a total of five trails inside the park.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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The unit famously killed Usama bin Laden in 2011 in a daring raid deep into Pakistan.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Reformers were worried that putting more money into the hands of local school districts, without oversight to ensure that it was being spent effectively, would lead to its diversion into administration and more generous union contracts rather than hands-on instruction for kids who needed it most.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
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Yu said that, as China has strengthened its social safety net, people are less worried about having to rely on others.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Aries March 21 – April 19 A bold move could set exciting momentum in motion today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
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By evening, the Aries Moon moves through your 6th House of Work and Wellness, energizing routines and ambitions that benefit from bold follow-through.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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To fans, Cox was the fearless manager who guided Atlanta to its first major professional sports championship in 1995, doing it on a national stage through Turner’s eponymous TBS broadcasts that reached homes across the country.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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